Reflecting on 50 years of Deadly

For Seona James, a Yorta Yorta woman and Adviser to the Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group for Victoria’s parliamentary departments, it means taking time to think and talk with mob and the wider community about the achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Those achievements come in all forms: big and small, widely recognised or quietly made, easy or hard-earned, temporary or lasting. Each one matters.

‘It makes me realise that we have come a long way as people in a range of ways and we should celebrate that as a community,’ Seona says.

One of her most treasured NAIDOC Week memories goes back to when she was about 12 years old. Her dad received a community award for his achievements as a VFL/AFL umpire. The award was presented by the local Aboriginal community at the Aborigines Advancement League in Thornbury.

‘We went there with all my Aunties and Uncles and everyone was so happy and proud,’ she recalls. ‘The feelings of those moments stay with you forever and I still remember that day clearly. I'm in my 50s now so it was a while ago and it still makes me proud thinking about it.’

This year’s NAIDOC theme, 50 Years of Deadly, carries special meaning.

‘Deadly means amazing, great, awesome,’ notes Seona.

‘When mob say the work you do is deadly or that you're a deadly person it's mob saying they appreciate and see the value for mob in what you are doing.

‘It's like the community stamp of approval that keeps me grounded and motivated to keep going.’

NAIDOC Week is not only significant for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Seona sees it as an important opportunity for non-Indigenous people to get involved.

‘There are so many great things happening in our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities locally, across Victoria and the nation that isn't always shared through media so it's not really known. Getting involved in NAIDOC activities is a great way to learn and understand about so many amazing things like our culture, our communities and our connection to country,’ she says.

‘Because these things are around us every day, it's often very relatable for people once they take the time to invest in learning.’

One of the things she values most is spending time with Aunties and Uncles, sitting down together, sharing a cuppa and listening to their stories. While it might not seem like a formal tradition, the act of storytelling and the way these stories are shared is incredibly important.

‘Some have been through some very tough situations and circumstances and some funny times too and many say they are thankful for the lives they have had. I can't help but feel grateful and inspired by those moments because they are connecting with you by sharing their life story,’ she says.

Looking ahead, Seona would like to see an official public holiday during the week of NAIDOC.

‘When NAIDOC first started 50 years ago, it was a day of observance and has now become a week-long national celebration. So in another 50 years a public holiday could just happen,’ she says.

‘But that's for the next generations to take on...’